Ladder



April 9, 1946. F. A. ELLIS LADDER Filed Oct. 10, 1944 INVENTOF: Pfatw/cmfl 22 11/5 vEwgZ I r L A,

A TORNEY Patented Apr. 9, 1946 LADDER Frederick A. Ellis, Binghamton, N. Y., assignor to Noel L. Dahlander, New Milford, Pa.

Application October 10, 1944, Serial No. 557,978

4 Claims.

This invention relates to ladders in general and more especially to chain ladders where the rungs are pivotally connected to the suspensory elements and the suspensory elements, as an instance, chains, are flexible.

Among the objects of the present invention, it is aimed to provide an improved ladder, single or multiple, having flexible suspensory elements, such as chains, and metal rungs pivotally connected thereto at their ends.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved ladder, single or multiple, having flexible suspensory elements, such as chains, and one piece combination metal rungs and end clips pivotally connected by the end clips to the chains.

These and other features, capabilities and advantages of the present invention will appear from the subjoined detail description of specific embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a single, as distinguished from a multiple, ladder, made according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmental detail in front elevation.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of an enlarged fragmental detail.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic front elevation of a modification.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, there is illustrated a single ladder such as an engine escape ladder, pilot's ladder or the like, having the flexible suspensory members I and 2 shown as composed of chains of the lock link type having pivotally connected thereto the combination rung and end clip members 3.

The combination rung and end clip members 3 are illustrated as composed of sheet metal such as galvanized iron consisting of a main tread portion 4 folded back upon itself to form two back portions 5 and 8 for the tread portion 4 and two shank portions '1 and 8 disposed adjacent to one another, all in cross section forming a T shape.

The present invention distinguishes from my co-pending application for patent, Serial No. 547,830, filed August 3, 1944, primarily in that the end clips here are integral with the shank portions 1 and 8 initially being extensions at the ends of the shank portions 1 and 8 folded over to form the loops 9 and I0, respectively, and the securing flanges H and [2, respectively. These flanges I I and I2 of each combination rung and end clip member, in the present instance are bent over against the ends of a shank portion 1 and then secured in place by the rivets I3 extending through the two flanges H and I2 and the two shank portions 1 and 8.

Excellent results have been achieved when the combination rung and end clip members 3 are composed of galvanized iron having a thickness approximating .031 inch to .034 inch when the rung determined by the tread portion 4 approximates twelve inches in length and about one and three-eighths inches in width.

While galvanized iron may be preferred for some uses, other metals may also be used without departing from the general spirit of the invention. In some instances, especially where light weight is essential, if cast out of aluminum. excellent results can also be achieved so long as the one piece idea and T shape construction is retained.

In Fig. 5 there is shown an application of the present invention to a multiple ladder.

Preferably also the chains of the suspensory elements I and 2 are covered with fabric envelopes or socks I4 which are secured in place by grommets orthe like as shown in my co-pending application for patent aforesaid.

When the one piece rung and clip member is composed of aluminum, satisfactory results have been achieved when the mean thickness is between .156 inch to .162 inch.

It is obvious that Various changes and modifications may be made to the details of con struction without departing from the general spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a ladder, the combination of suspensory elements, and one piece rung and end clip members, each member having a tread portion and a depending shank T shape in cross section, the shank having extensions formed into loops journalled on said suspensory elements.

2. In a ladder, the combination of suspensory elements, and one piece rung and end clip members, each member composed of a sheet metal stamping folded back upon itself to form a tread portion and a depending shank T shape in cross section, the shank having extensions formed into loops journalled on said suspensory elements.

3. In a ladder, the combination of suspensory elements, and one piece rung and end clip members, each member composed of a sheet metal stamping folded back upon itself to form a tread portion and a depending shank T shape in cross section, the shank having extensions formed into loops and flanges, the loops being journalled on the suspensory elements and the flanges folded against, and secured to, the ends of the depending shank.

4. In a ladder, the combination of suspensory elements, and one piece rung and end clip members, each member composed of a sheet metal galvanized iron folded back upon itself to form 

